The Belize Citrus Mutual (BCM) has issued a press release entitled "Citrus - Where Are We Heading", whose sole purpose seems to be that of making a public appeal on an internal company matter, that is the termination of the employment of Dr. Canton as the CEO of the Citrus Products of Belize Ltd (CPBL). The release also seems to suggest that Dr. Canton, trained as an animal doctor, is indispensible as the only person who can capably manage the Citrus Products of Belize Ltd.

What is the Belize Citrus Mutual?The Belize Citrus Mutual (BCM) is a private company owned notably by Henry Canton, William Bowman, Mike Duncker and Ernest Raymond. The Belize Citrus Mutual has as one of its objectives to acquire, own and operate a citrus processing plant. Furthermore, CPBL documents dating as far back as 2007 reveal that these same gentlemen, along with Banks Holdings Ltd., agreed to a plan for CPBL to resign its membership from CGA and for these gentlemen to start a new company/association to be called the Citrus Alliance Corporation. The sole aim of the new group was the destruction of the CGA so they and BHL can enjoy full control of CPBL.

Belizeans should recognize that the release from BCM is essentially an appeal to the public to save Henry Canton's employment as CEO of CPBL and to allow him to continue his personal agenda of conflict of interest to the detriment of CPBL.

BCM is a private company, part owned by Henry Canton, making a public appeal on his behalf. This same private company is desirous of acquiring, owning and operating a citrus processing plant. This is just one of the many examples of the conflict of interests that has come to define Dr. Canton's leadership style of his personal agenda before everything else.

Performance of CPBLThe release would suggest that with the appointment of Henry Canton as CEO and the Investment Agreement with Banks Holdings Ltd (BHL) the performance of CPBL has done well.

However, all of that changed with the consummation of the Investment Agreement in the 2007 fiscal year. Since the involvement of BHL, and especially over the past two years, CPBL has experienced a $27 million downturn in profitability to the point were retained earnings have been exhausted.

BCM asserts that the Investment Agreement as a Model for the CaribbeanModel for whom, certainly not the majority shareholder! From the perspective of the majority shareholder, the CGA under the then stewardship of the now owners of BCM, received only $US2.00 for giving up 46.5% of its stake in CPBL and with limited decision making powers of the majority shareholder. The Jane Longsworth Report clearly shows that BCGAICL lost some $23 million in equity at the outset.

Furthermore the business model allows for BHL to gain income by selling CPBL products in Barbados, selling BHL products to CPBL for resale in Belize, and through the receipt of dividends from CPBL. On the other hand, the majority shareholder can only earn a return fromCPBL if a dividend is declared. However, a dividend can only be declared if BHL so agrees. For the past three years no dividends have been declared.

BHL Showing Good Faith by Forgoing DividendsBHL annual report for 2007 fiscal year shows that BHL enjoyed a sizeable increase in their net income of some $11.378 million most of which was attributable to the effect of the cheap sale price for which they bought into CPBL, based on their negotiations with Henry Canton, William Bowman and Ernest Raymond. The reason they could act in "good faith" was because they had purchased the premier juice source in the region at a fire sale price, which is locked and fully controlled, working in full alliance with Henry Canton

CGA's DebtThey deceptively commented on the debt the CGA owes to the European Investment Bank and the Social Security Board. The CGA has clearly made the point that the reason it had to look out for the best interest of its investment in CPBL is because it must make good on all its obligations.

Belizeans should know that the way the transaction was constructed resulted in the CGA giving up 46.5% of CPBL with control of CPBL and receiving only US$2.00 as consideration. At that time the growers were misled and believed that the EIB loan was a grant. Furthermore, whatBCM did not say, and now refuses to say, is that these monies were borrowed during the time when Ernest Raymond and William Bowman where the Chairmen of the CGA. They did not only gave away the industry but followed through of their plan to destroy the CGA be resigningso as not pay dues. Henry Canton and BHL have now stopped payments from CPBL to CGA despite a Board resolution being in place. Finally, the CGA's financial statements are consolidated therefore that CGA will not show any profitability when its largest asset losses more than $ 10 million dollars annually.Sale of Products Should be an Arm's Length Third Party TransactionJust recently the CGA requested a new price submission from CPBL because there was an increase in world market prices but the new price submission proposed in return amounted to a reduction in price to growers.

This was the first time CPBL representatives ever, in the history of the industry that the price to growers was going down when the world market price was increasing. Even after it was made abundantly clear that it was recommended that CPBL does not supply product at such low prices, Henry Canton refused to accept the recommendation. It should be noted that Henry Canton took this decision to continue to sell at such a cheap price despite the company projecting to losing some $11.0 million dollars. It was only after the CGA had complained that Canton and CPBL did not supply the remaining product to this customer. It should also be noted that this same customer has 39% stake in a subsidiary of CPBL, Belize Cattle Feed Limited. The entity has invested $1.0m in equity, while CPBL has invested 2.5m in equity and has loaned the company $10 m dollars at a rate that is less than the group interest rate for CPBL.

We can only wonder if this sort of arrangement is why that entity has come forth in the media to justify why is was a good deal to buy product at US$0.98 per pound solid when the market was above US$1.18 per pound solid.

CGA's VisionA citrus industry where the rights of all stakeholders are equally protected. Increased utilization of CPBL achieved through improving citrus productivity and the introduction of new juice crops such as passion fruit, mangoes and pineapple. A robust marketing arm will develop and establish our brands nationally and globally. The buying power of the industry will be leveraged to gel cheaper inputs for growers, assist with drainage of groves and the overall sharing of the costs to address plant health challenges that face the industry.

As you are aware, your employment with Citrus Products of Belize Limited (“the Company”) was ipso facto terminated by the Company in general meeting with immediate effect on the 17th of December, 2010. You were notified in writing of this fact on the same date.

To be absolutely clear, you are no longer the CEO or an employee of the Company. You are no longer authorized to act or conduct business on behalf of the Company in any capacity whatsoever. You are not permitted to enter upon or have access to the premises of the Company or to retain in your possession any of the property of the Company without the prior consent of the Company and its Board of Directors. No consent has been given and no consent will be given.

Should you seek to or otherwise purport to act on behalf of the Company in any manner, you will be acting in deceit, committing fraudulent misrepresentations and otherwise unlawfully interfering with the economic and other interests of the Company. Should you enter upon the premises of the Company, you will be committing trespass. Should you retain any of the property of the Company in your possession, you will be committing detinue and possibly conversion. Please be cautioned that any such actions are not merely civil wrongs but may amount to criminal wrongs as well.

It is regrettable that we must now put you on such notice. We hope that you will do the right thing and discontinue forthwith from engaging in any activities or course of conduct that will not only tarnish your reputation but that may force the Company to seek any and all legal redress against you as may be available to it at law.

A vacancy exists at the Citrus Products of Belize Ltd (CPBL), Stann Creek Valley, Stann Creek, Belize, for a Chief Executive Officer. The company is the largest producer of citrus fruits in Belize and manufactures a wide range of citrus products and by-products for the local, regional and international markets.

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a Masters Degree, or have pursued significant post-graduate programmes in Business Administration, Chemical Engineering, or a related field and must have at least five years experience as a Chief Executive Officer or senior manager of a substantial operation.

The successful applicant must possess strong leadership skills and the business acumen to be able to transform the various business lines of the company to improve market share and profitability in the local, regional and international marketplace. Financial expertise necessary to develop and execute budget preparations, business plans, and marketing plans are required.

Knowledge of the citrus industry and juice beverage markets would be an asset.

Salary

Negotiable and commensurate with expertise and experience.

Deadline

Interested applicants should send curriculum vitae including the names of two references by Friday January 8, 2011 to:
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or

Citrus Growers Association hereby inform its members that because of the threat of Tropical Storm Richard CPBL has announced that the CCB facility will open for the receival of grapefruit on 23rd and 24th October, 2010 ONLY during the hours 7:00am and 5:00pm.

The actual re-opening will be hinged on the development of the storm and the advisories given by NEMO.

The CGA will keep you updated on any new development.

Please remember to get your fruit tested and get your license from CGA to deliver your fruit.

For further information please call CGA at 522- 3585/3547/3511.

For the file Notice - Receival of grapefruit due to Tropical Storm Richard click here.